Medway: Cultural Council seeks new members

MEDWAY - With the expiration of several terms, the Cultural Council is seeking new members and looking for ways to collaborate with local organizations.

New Council Chairwoman Carla Cataldo spoke to selectmen at their meeting Monday night about the state of her group. She said that though the state requires the council to have five members, it currently only has four members.

"We have a minimum of five members, and the maximum is up to 22," she said. "The more, the merrier."

Council members serve three-year terms, Cataldo said, but there is a two-term maximum. Elected officials cannot serve on the group. Since several veteran members had reached the term limit, the council must now seek new volunteers, she said.

"Our primary activity is distributing grant money - it goes to artists and nonprofits," she said. "We get roughly $5,000 a year; last fall, we granted money to 11 organizations."

The money, Cataldo said, funds cultural activities such as concerts. She said a recent concert had featured musicians that were traveling through the state on a walking tour.

Since becoming chairwoman, Cataldo said she had approached a number of potential members. She said the council had passed out fliers at the recent Celebrate Medway festival, and had been in talks to update its page on the town website.

The council's grant process, Cataldo said, is slated to begin in late summer, with applications due by Oct. 15. She said the council is also required to have a community hearing in early 2018 to get feedback from residents about possible uses for grant money.

Selectman John Foresto suggested the town collaborate further with the council, noting that $5,000 is not a large amount.

Fellow board member Glenn Trindade agreed, asking Cataldo to speak with the town about projects that might exceed that grant threshold.

"Maybe it's something that doesn't get done right away, but it could be a long-term thing," he said, adding that a combination of state money, town money and local donations might fund larger-scale events.

Cataldo said the state does offer some money for festivals, though the deadline for this year has passed.

Mike Gleason can be reached at 508-634-7546 or mgleason@wickedlocal.com. For news throughout the day, follow him on Twitter @MGleason_MDN.